Shark finning
Shark finning is the act of removing fins from sharks. It is mostly done when shark is still alive. The sharks are sometimes thrown back to the ocean after removing their fins but they are still alive.[1][2][3] since they are unable to swim properly, they sink to the bottom of the ocean and die of suffocation or are eaten by other predators. Shark finning at sea helps fishing vessels in increasing their profit. It also helps to increase the number of sharks harvested, as they only have to store and transport the fins, which is the most profitable part of the shark; the shark meat is bulky to transport.[4] Some countries have banned this practice and require the whole shark to be brought back to port before removing the fins.
Shark finning increased since 1997 largely due to the increasing demand for shark fins. It is used in shark fin soup and traditional cures, particularly in China and its territories. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Shark Specialist Group say that shark fin trade is causing a serious danger to the shark population.[5] It estimates of the global value of the shark fin trade range from US$540 million[4] to US$1.2 billion (2007).[5] Shark fins are among the most expensive seafood products, commonly sold at US$400 per kg. In the United States, where finning is not allowed, some buyers regard the whale shark and the basking shark as trophy species, and pay $10,000 to $20,000 for a fin.[6]
Shark Finning Media
Highlights showing the typical targets of finning
The sand tiger shark is a large coastal shark that inhabits coastal waters worldwide. Its numbers have declined significantly, and it is now listed as a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
A mural protesting shark finning in Wellington, New Zealand
Shark fin fishing boat off the Galapagos, Ecuador
Fresh shark fins drying on a pavement in Hong Kong
Shark fin protestors at Maxim's HQ, Hong Kong 2018-06-15 also protesting re Starbucks giving their regional license to Maxims.
Anti shark fin protesters at the FedEx depot in Hong Kong's Kennedy Town 3 July 2016
References
- ↑ Schindler, D.E., Essington, T.E., Kitchell, J.F., Boggs, C. and Hilborn, R. (2002) "Sharks and tunas: fisheries impacts on predators with contrasting life histories". Ecological Applications, 12 (3): 735–748.
- ↑ Spiegel, J. (2000) "Even Jaws deserves to keep his fins: outlawing shark finning throughout global waters". Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, 24 (2): 409–438.
- ↑ Fowler, S., Séret, B. and Clarke, S. (2010) Shark fins in Europe: Implications for reforming the EU finning ban Archived 2017-04-13 at the Wayback Machine, IUCN Shark Specialist Group.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Clarke, Shelley; Milner-Gulland, E.J.; Bjorndal, Trond (October 2007). "Social, Economic, and Regulatory Drivers of the Shark Fin Trade". Marine Resource Economics. Marine Resources Foundation. 22 (3): 305–327. doi:10.1086/mre.22.3.42629561. S2CID 151222229. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Buckley, Louis (2007). The End of the Line (PDF). WildAid. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
- ↑ Bijal P. Trivedi (17 September 2002). "Shark-Soup Boom Spurs Conservationist DNA Study". National Geographic. Retrieved 3 April 2012.